...website, the Incident Command System (ICS) was developed “in the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in California” (NIMS, 2004) in 1970. During the fire “16 lives were lost, 700 structures were destroyed, and over one-half million acres burned” at the expense of “$18 million per day” (NIMS, 2004) in overall costs. The responding agencies worked as well as they could together but they had many communications issues. Three years after the incident, in 1973 a system known as “FIRESCOPE” (NIMS, 2004) (Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies) was developed. This is where the ICS and Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) were developed. Soon there was “agreed upon ICS common terminology and procedures and conducted limited field-testing of ICS” (NIMS, 2004) the system was used on several fires and adopted by the Los Angeles Fire Department. During the 1980’s it was realized that the ICS could be used on many different large scale incidents to manage personnel and so all responders used the same terminology to create easier communications between responding agencies. Characteristics of the ICS include: • Common Terminology • Modular Organization • Management by Objectives • Reliance on an Incident Action Plan • Manageable Span of Control • Pre-designated Incident Mobilization Center Locations & Facilities • Comprehensive Resource Management • Integrated Communications • Establishment and Transfer of Command • Chain of Command and Unity...
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...NIMS and the Incident Command System The way this nation prepares for and responds to domestic incidents is about to change. It won't be an abrupt change; best practices that have been developed over the years are part of this new comprehensive national approach to incident management known as the National Incident Management System (NIMS). But it will change � and for the better. Developed by the Department of Homeland Security and issued in March 2004, the NIMS will enable responders at all jurisdictional levels and across all disciplines to work together more effectively and efficiently. Beginning in FY 2006, federal funding for state, local and tribal preparedness grants will be tied to compliance with the NIMS. One of the most important 'best practices' that has been incorporated into the NIMS is the Incident Command System (ICS), a standard, on-scene, all-hazards incident management system already in use by firefighters, hazardous materials teams, rescuers and emergency medical teams. The ICS has been established by the NIMS as the standardized incident organizational structure for the management of all incidents. Although many agencies now use various forms of ICS, there...
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...The Incident Command System (ICS) is a incident management program that was implemented so disaster responders could have organized structure within the complexity and demands of incidents without over stepping boundaries of other organizations. The staff within the command are in charge of health and safety as well as public affairs. First in the line of command is the Information Officer, who develops and puts out the details of the incident to the media and other agencies. Next in line is the Liaison Officer who is the point of contact for organizing the work between the Incident Commander and Unified Commander. Last in command is the Safety Officer who’s job is to give advice to the IC and UC about personnel health and safety as well as...
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...decades (1994-2002: 33 deaths; 1983-1992: 9 deaths) (Brassal, Evans 2002). Are firefighters and other fire professionals missing the evidence needed to curve the potential for firefighter fatalities due to structural collapse? Structural collapses are not always the cause of death, but may have been contributing factors that lead to the cause of death. Can training, better building practices, pre-plans and changing structural building laws decrease the risk for fire fighters? Risk Analysis and concerns regarding the Sofa Super Store fire When the first arriving officer at scene arrives and performs a through walk around or “360” of the Sofa Super Fire Store Fire, he or she must take a “Risk Analysis” of the situation prior making a command decision to send crews into a...
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...Colorado Wildfires 2012 Inter-Agency Communication Introduction Natural disasters have been around since the beginning of time. Every day, natural processes are taking place that can disrupt the equilibrium in our lives which can cause natural disasters. Learning from the past has caused better communications, and technological advancements have helped in predicting many events, but never can man actually predict the exact catastrophe. With the global population expanding, we become more vulnerable to these threats, and our only means of protection is through better planning. One particular natural disaster that has become a complex danger over time is the wildland fire. Wildfires have occurred on every continent except Antarctica. Wildfires are a natural phenomenon caused by topography, fuels, and weather that man has had to deal with since the cave man era. History reveals the progression of wildfires but not until the 20th century have wildfires caused so much destruction. The wide spread population growth along the wildland-urban areas of Colorado and other natural prone fire habitats have cause for huge concern as wildfires get harder to control. The year 2002, which was previously the worst wildfire season recorded in Colorado’s history prior to this year, caused state and federal land management agencies to increase their efforts to work with communities and private land owners about risk assessment, addressing wildfire prevention, and mitigation.ii It all...
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...I don’t have a paper yet he Blackwater fire was caused by a lightning strike on August 18, 1937, in Shoshone National Forest, about 35 miles (56 km) west of Cody, Wyoming, United States. Fifteen firefighters were killed by the forest fire when a dry weather front caused the winds to suddenly increase and change direction. The fire quickly spread into dense forest, trapping some of the firefighters in a firestorm. Nine died during the fire and six died afterwards from severe burns and respiratory complications; 38 others were injured. More U.S. wildland firefighters died in the Blackwater fire than in any incident since the Great Fire of 1910; the death-toll was not surpassed until 2013 when 19 firefighters died in the Yarnell Hill Fire. Firefighters in the first half of the 20th century used mostly hand tools to suppress wildfires, and all gear was carried by the firefighters or by pack animals. Weather forecasting and radio communication were generally poor or nonexistent. After the Blackwater fire, better ways to respond to such fires were developed, including the smokejumper program in 1939 and the Ten Standard Firefighting Orders (a standardized set of wildland firefighting principles) in 1957. n 1937, firefighters did not have portable radios for rapid on-scene communication or helicopters to bring supplies and provide water drops.[8][9][a] Firefighters had some access to gas-powered portable water pumps (two were set up on the Blackwater fire), but most used backpack pumps...
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...if misconduct occurred. My responsibility is to report any questionable or unsafe acts. 3. Reflect on the ethical values and their ramifications. FM 1-60 States: “The Army is a values-based organization (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal courage). It upholds principles that are grounded in the Constitution and inspire guiding values and standards for its members.” FM 1-61 builds on the value based ethics by stating: “The Army Values are the basic building blocks of a Soldier's character. They help Soldiers judge what is right or wrong in any situation.” According to FM 6-22, I am supposed to train and mentor future leaders. This incident could have put the unit’s security in jeopardy but SGT Day is more concerned with SFC Sharp getting trouble. Looking the other way would be setting a bad example for SGT Day and other Soldiers in my section....
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...Charleston Super Sofa Fire Charles Rigsbee Durham Tech, Community College Introduction On June 18, 2007, the City of Charleston’s Fire Department lost nine of their firefighters, when they became trapped fighting a fire inside of the Sofa Super Store. This tragedy was the single greatest loss of firemen on duty in the United States since 343 fire fighters died in the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Issues that plagued the Charleston Fire department on the day of the incident included the lack of a proper incident command system; no accountability system and water supply issues hampered firefighting and rescue efforts that dreadful day. Furthermore, the Sofa Super Store’s lack of sprinkler systems in vital areas resulted in heavy fire loads created by high volumes of highly combustible furniture; compliant building additions also contributed to the deaths of the 9 firemen. The Fire On June 18, 2007, approximately at 6:56 pm, a fire was spotted by someone driving along the Savannah Highway in front of the store. The passerby notified store employees of the fire outside of the loading dock. The manager attempted to extinguish the fire with portable extinguishers but was unable to bring the fire under control. At 7:08, Charleston County 911 Center received a call reporting the fire at the store. Within 2 minutes, Engines 11 and 10, ladder 5 and Battalion 4 were dispatched. Battalion 4 was the first unit on scene, his intimal size up indicated...
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...the incident command system (ics) was developed in the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in california in 1970. during the fire “16 lives were lost, 700 structures were destroyed, and over one-half million acres burned” at the expense of “$18 million per day” in overall costs. the responding agencies worked as well as they could together but they had many communications issues. three years after the incident, in 1973 a system known as “firescope” (firefighting resources of california organized for potential emergencies) was developed. this is where the ics and multi-agency coordination system (macs) were developed. soon there was agreed upon ics common terminology and procedures and conducted limited field-testing of ics the system was used on several fires and adopted by the los angeles fire department. during the 1980’s it was realized that the ics could be used on many different large scale incidents to manage personnel and so all responders used the same terminology to create easier communications between responding agencies. the characteristics of the ics include the following points: common terminology, modular organization, management by objectives, reliance on an incident action plan, manageable span of control, pre-designated incident mobilization center locations & facilities, comprehensive resource management integrated communications, establishment and transfer of command, chain of command and unity of command unified command, accountability of resources and...
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...this report I am going to analyse the importance of inter-agency emergency planning for major incidents It is very important that public services work together and plan how to deal with major incidents, because it makes their job more efficient. They can get the job done quicker, because they know their roles and responsibilities, so not messing around, but doing their duties and run smoothly at the scene. Planning gives them opportunity to get more training so they will know their roles even better so it makes their job easier and safer as they will get some experience in some kind of situations. They will have knowledge how it could look in real major incident, so they would not get stressed so much if they are newly employed. Also it saves some money when dealing with major incidents as they will be better in their roles, because of training through planning. Another benefit is that because of planning, they would know what equipment they are responsible for and they will bring it to the scene so when it will be needed, they will have it. The first responding agency is always Police and they are responsible for sending other agencies to the scene, protecting the scene – setting cordons around. Inner cordon - operational command – officers that deals with the incident at the scene. Outer cordon - tactical command - creates tactics for operational command how to deal with the incident. Lack of organisations means that they would not be sure what their roles are, they would...
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...Discipline is the glue that holds a combat team together. Without it there is no unit cohesion, no espirit de corps, no coordination. However, discipline is a complex product of training, leadership, and respect. It is respect which creates devotion to the team, and the important part is that that respect flows both up and down the chain of command. A leader respects the skills, strengths, and sacrifices of the people who work for him, and by giving that respect, in time and with effort, his troops come to respect him as well. That respect grows into devotion: the devotion of the leader to his troops, to do his best to see them through tough times and bring them home to their families, and the devotion of the troops to accomplishing the tasks of their unit under the vision of their leadership. Disrespect, however, has exactly the opposite effect. If a leader disrespects his troops, he fails to earn their respect and therefore fails to create devotion to the team. His attitude will be noticed and will become detrimental to morale, which in turn will hurt the combat effectiveness of each troop as well as the whole. Because he cannot respect his troops, he will also fail to recognize their true strengths and employ his forces to the best of their respective abilities. If, on the other hand, a troop fails to form respect for ANY leader, no matter how good that leader is at their job, then that troop forms a sort of uprising point... a point of discontention that saps unit...
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...establish consistent, often times comprehensive changes to the way it accomplishes Emergency Response operations. The catastrophic events of both September 11, 2001 and the lingering tragedy of Hurricane Katrina proved to be instantaneous prompts for the evolution of governmental amendment to and eventual restructure of the overarching procedural standard for incident response in the country. One of the many important after-effects would become what was labeled the National Response Framework, or NRF. A detailed outline of the NRF structure and intent follows. The template is a doctrinal approach to the domestic partnerships and implementation of resources above and beyond those rules set by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) (FEMA, 2012). The sole purpose of the 90-page document is to ensure that government executives, private sector, nongovernmental organization (NGO) leaders, and emergency management practitioners across the nation understand domestic incident response roles, responsibilities and relationships in order to respond more effectively to any type of incident. General administrators of NRF-specific guidance will typically be policy-level personnel or heads-of-agencies, who directly or strategically coordinate echelon and subordinate agencies at all eventual layers of government emergency response. It is guided mainly by the data and regulatory information offered to emergency managers at the NRF Resource Center...
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...The Roles of Health Personnel in Disaster Management When a disaster occurs the public health personnel must ready, prepared and organized in order to help the community. Public health personnel are better prepared and will perform tasks more effectively with the proper training. The roles of the public health personnel vary but are all focused on one goal: the overall well-being of the community. An experienced public health nurse is very important when a disaster occurs, they need to have specific knowledge in managing every phase of a disaster and disaster preparedness as well as the resources that are available to the community, the community demographics and the overall health status of the community members. The nurse needs to keep a detailed record that reflects the vulnerability of the community, provide education to ensure the population is able to cope with the impact a disaster will create in their lives, and monitor and review the resources in the community that will be needed during a disaster such as water, food and clothing. The public health nurse needs to ensure the safety of the environment and monitor and report any evidence that may pose an environmental hazard. The nurse has a responsibility teach proper good hygiene to the community members, ensure their immunization record are up to date, and also refer them to mental health professional when there is need (Patidar, 2013). When a disaster occurs, the fire department and fire services are responsible for...
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...and how will they deliver such bad news to the families while providing them hope? These are the two questions that this author will address and try to answer in this article How does the owner of the miner prepare to notify the families of the trapped miners? As a mining company one would expect that part of the Emergency Action Plan would cover a situation such as a cave in, the emergency action plan would cover needs to be done, step by step, while no one is really ready for such an emergency, routine practice, and drills. The conduct of such exercise would help the mining company identified, safety concern, procedures for notification, and prepare those that work in the staff for the media frenzy that will happen with such incident occurs. How the employer reacts and acts during the crisis will dictated how the public and the media will see it for years to come, if the employer is seen as careless or thoughtless when dealing with families, they may lose more than just business, they may be the subject of employee’s...
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...Dear Sir I refer to the incident that occurred on the 18th February 2014 with Bankosi when i unfortunately lost my temper. The sequence of events are as follows: * I had called for Bankosi to remove the scrap bricks from the yard. * Bankosi shows me his fists in an intimidating manner and proceeds to talk in his language to his peers when they all laughed at me. * I called him to resolve the matter maturely but Bankosi proceeded to “entertain” his friends at my expense where at this point they were even more amused. * I became quite frustrated and unfortunately lost my temper and punched him which I deeply regretted afterwards hence i went to apologise to him which he accepted. We talked about it and i apologised and we were cool. When the maintenance foreman instructed him to do his job, he refused and he was given a yellow card for not following instructions. That is when he decided to come and report me after 6 days. As a matter of fact, this hearing is void. One more thing he said that i must give him a R100 for punching him and when i came back the next day he demanded more money from me and i refused as we sorted our difference out. This is a business and we cant afford to have customers complaining about bad quality products. Our main priority in this industry is the best of quality. This is a business where only the best product must be sold to customers. We are running double shift at the moment and whatever product i make during my shift...
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